Aquatic Technician

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Employment Equity contributes to a strong and sustainable Public Service by ensuring that the workforce reflects the rich diversity of Canada's population. At the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, we see the value that a representative workforce brings to our organization. We celebrate the richness of the people that contribute to this organization’s workforce. A workforce where the diversity of thought, culture, ethnicity, age, gender orientation and experiences are considered as invaluable assets. Together, we can meet new challenges, fuel innovation through diversity, help create prosperity and make a positive impact in the workplace and the people we serve. We encourage and value the inclusion of all people including members of the LGBTQ2+ community and the four Employment Equity Groups. We therefore encourage you to apply for this opportunity should you believe you are qualified.

PLEASE NOTE: Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: members of visible minority groups, Indigenous persons, or persons with disabilities.

We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

When submitting an application to this selection process, you will be prompted to answer screening questions concerning the essential education, and the essential and asset experience qualifications. It is your responsibility to provide clear and concrete examples in your responses to each question, including when (from-to), where (occupational title, organization) and how you obtained your education and experience. It is recommended that you describe the experience examples in specific terms, providing sufficient details so that the Assessment Board can clearly understand. Describe the situation/task, the action you took, what you accomplished and/or what you learned. Content of your response must be supported by your CV/resume as your responses to these questions will be used as a primary source of information and your CV/resume will only be used to validate this information. Should you indicate in your response "please refer to CV/resume" your application will be rejected. Lack of examples and details will result in your application being rejected as the Assessment Board will have insufficient information to determine if the requirement is met.

Duties

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Ontario and Prairie Region, Aquatic Ecosystems Sector is seeking to recruit enthusiastic technicians to join its team. Our technicians are dedicated to the delivery of DFO’s policy, program and regulatory responsibilities under the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations and the Great Lakes Fisheries Convention Act. Specific duties within each program include:

Aquatic Invasive Species Program (EG-04) – Burlington and Winnipeg
Aquatic Invasive Species technicians conduct early detection surveillance sampling for Aquatic Invasive Species in the Great Lakes. AIS program technicians are involved with both field and laboratory activities. Field activities generally include, but are not limited to: travel to and from sampling locations; operation of vessels; collection of field habitat data using a variety of scientific equipment; maintenance of equipment; deploying and fishing gears; fish identification and vouchering; and laboratory processing of samples. Field sampling occurs in a variety of locations around the Great Lakes basin.

Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (EG-04) – Burlington, Winnipeg and Edmonton
Fish and Fish Habitat Monitoring Technicians evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation and offsetting measures implemented by proponents to protect fish and fish habitat, including Species at Risk. They also monitor for compliance with the conditions stipulated in Authorizations or permits issued by DFO under the Fisheries Act and/or the Species at Risk Act and review monitoring reports submitted by proponents.

Sea Lamprey Control Program (EG-03, EG-04) – Sault Ste. Marie
Sea Lamprey Control Technicians conduct field work for the assessment, control and monitoring of sea lamprey populations all around the Great Lakes in both Canada and the USA. Some technicians are involved with evaluating the success of control measures and with assessing the distribution and abundance of sea lamprey populations. Others are directly involved in the implementation of sea lamprey control measures such as lampricide application to watercourses and overseeing the construction and maintenance of sea lamprey control barriers. All of our technicians work at a diversity of field locations from urban to remote and for extended periods of time (approximately 3 weeks on average) throughout the period March to November of each year.

If you are interested in these exciting opportunities, we look forward to receiving your application!

Work environment

Our staff make a difference in the lives of Canadians by bringing a range of skills and experience to the work they do. We offer:
• Rewarding work, with travel throughout our vast Ontario and Prairies Region
• Work with dedicated colleagues in a well-respected federal department that has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People every year since 2017.
• Learning and training opportunities that support you as a new employee in your current and future career
• Excellent Pension and Benefits and an Employee Assistance Program to support you through all stages of your career
• An opportunity to serve Canadians by helping to protect our aquatic resources.

Intent of the process

The current need is to staff one EG-03 position for the Sea Lamprey Control Program in Sault Ste. Marie and two EG-04 positions with the Aquatic Invasive Species Program in Burlington. A pool of qualified candidates will be established from this advertised process and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (seasonal, term, indeterminate, acting, deployment, assignment, or secondment) within DFO’s Aquatic Ecosystems Sector in Ontario and Prairie Region.

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "In your cover letter you should clearly indicate which EG-03 and EG-04 position(s) you are interested in (See “Duties” above) and why you think you are suited for the position(s). Your cover letter will be used to assess your Ability to Communicate in Writing."

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Successful completion of secondary school or employer-approved alternatives*

*Note: The employer-approved alternatives to a secondary school diploma are:
• An acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, or
• A satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma.

Degree equivalency

• Experience* implementing standardized protocols (scientific or technical) including safety protocols
• Experience* conducting scientific sampling in aquatic environments.

*Experience can include a combination of work experience as well as experience gained during course or volunteer work.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Ability to communicate orally
Ability to communicate in writing

Both EG-03 and EG-04:
Working effectively with others
Thinking things through
Showing initiative and being action oriented
Demonstrating integrity and respect

EG-04 positions only:
Leadership

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

• Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Training or equivalent
• Marine Emergency Duty Training – A1 or A3 Level
• Marine Radio Operators Certificate
• Valid Transportation of Dangerous Goods Certification
• Valid Workplace Hazards And Material Information System (WHMIS) Certification
• Valid Ontario Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) Pesticide Exterminator Licence Water Class Fish/Mollusc
• Ontario Class DZ driver’s license or equivalent
• ATV Rider Training
• Electrofishing Certification (Class 1, 2 or 3)
• Valid First Aid Certificate

• Experience working with the public
• Experience working in a position related to the management of aquatic natural resources
• Experience towing and manoeuvring trailers
• Experience using and applying GIS related tools
• Experience electrofishing or netting (fish capture techniques) or applying pesticides in an operational environment

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Women, Indigenous Peoples, Persons with disabilities, Visible Minorities

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Successful candidate(s) must meet and maintain all the Conditions of Employment throughout their employment. Conditions of employment may vary based on the position being staffed, but may include:
• Medical clearance
• Valid driver’s licence
• Travel within Canada and the United States
• Travel for extended periods, often up to 27 consecutive days with accommodations in motels
• Travel to remote locations via truck, aircraft, boat, or other means with occasional overnight stays in tents
• Conduct strenuous work out-of-doors under varying climatic conditions, sometimes in remote locations
• Lift and carry, often over uneven ground, supplies and equipment weighing up to 23 kg
• Work shift-work and overtime as required by operational needs

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate candidates.

Shortlisting may be applied at any point in the assessment process, which may include consideration of depth and breadth of experience or top-down selection based on other criteria.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

All information pertaining to this selection process will be sent by e-mail and/or will be indicated in your Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) account. It is therefore your responsibility to verify your e-mail account and your PSRS account for new communication regarding this selection process on a regular basis and to advise of any change of address, phone number and/or email address.

An alternative format (such as Braille) of this notice and Statement of Merit Criteria are available upon request.

A variety of assessment tools may be used in the assessment of candidates, such as: written exercise, oral interview, and/or reference checks. Interviews and/or reference checks may be administered via VidCruiter (e.g., self-recorded interviews, written questionnaires), videoconference, or telephone.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Successful candidate(s) must meet and maintain the Conditions of Employment throughout their employment.

If you are unable to submit an application online, it can either be mailed to:

Alissa Scarpelli
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
520 Exmouth Street
Sarnia, ON
N7T 8B1

or emailed to .

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.